Rare Photo Of Dale Earnhardt Without A Mustache Has NASCAR Fans Trembling

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you find yourself thinking about Dale Earnhardt that one time a day?

And yes, it's once a day. If you're an American – not even a NASCAR fan, just an American – you think about Dale Earnhardt once a day. If you're a Biden voter, you don't. Only exception. 

Where were we? Oh yeah …

For me, it's that one time he wrecked his car to hell at Daytona, and instead of calling it a day, jumped out of the ambulance, got back in his Chevy, and finished the race like a man. 

I'd imagine some folks remember him for punting Terry Labonte at Bristol and getting booed into next week. 

There was also that time he passed a billion cars in about four laps to win at Talladega. His final win, I might add. 

All good memories of The Initimidator, but the thing that he's probably most synonymous with is/was his mustache. They just don't make 'em like that anymore. 

Frankly, it probably wasn't the only thing Earnhardt had in common with 70s porn stars, but that's neither here nor there. 

Anyway, ever seen him without the mustache? Yep, it happened. Rare, but it happened. 

True story, and it shocked NASCAR Twitter earlier this week:

Dale Earnhardt mustache story 

Jarring stuff. What a way to start a big Saturday, huh? 

Now, without looking, can you name the race and year? I'm OutKick's NASCAR guy, and I couldn't. Not quite my fault, because I was 5, but still – a little sad. 

I'll give you a minute …

…

…

Time's up!

Again, jarring. Story checks out, though!

Dale and fellow driver Michael Waltrip were on vacation the week before in the Bahamas, he explained to the Indy media that day. They went snorkeling, the mask wouldn't seal because of his mustache, and he had to shave it off. Completely. First time since 1982 (!!!). 

"Man, I was just drowning. I got up on the boat and shaved," he said. "I could go down about 10-12 feet and not drown.

"`I don't think it'll affect any of my racing skills. It didn't in '82, anyway. We still won races."

Incredible. 

Dale did win that weekend, but not Earnhardt. Sad. Dale Jarrett led 117 laps and dominated, while a mustache-less Earnhardt finished 10th. 

Not to worry, though! Earnhardt would win two weeks later at Bristol, and again later in the year at Talladega. By then, the mustache was back, and our long, national nightmare was over. 

Raise hell, praise Dale!